A city known for both its bohemian vibe and gorgeous hills, San Francisco welcomes one and all to experience its beauty and diverse culture. The city was founded in 1776, when Spanish colonists established a fort and named it for Saint Francis of Assisi. Now, it’s the second-most densely populated major city in the United States, after only New York City.

The city’s array of activities will entertain all ages, from foodies, to outdoor adventurers, political activists to architects. The Golden Gate Bridge is a must-see, and is especially stunning as the sun hits the bay, casting its own golden, glowing reflection across the inlet. Biking across the bridge gives a beautiful view of the city, as well as a great workout.

Another must, and captivating in a darker way, is the nearby Alcatraz Island. The infamous abandoned prison is worth touring for the extensive history and stories of activism you’ll hear. But the best thing to do in San Francisco is simply stroll through the city. Fisherman’s Wharf is buzzing with activity, shopping and restaurants.

Visit, but spend more time in the Mission District, where an authentic Mexican ambience means the food is fantastic, the murals make your head spin and the boutiques and bodegas add charm. For a more tranquil stroll, Nob Hill and Russian Hill are lush with history and splendor. And this is only a taste of what the city has to offer.

The capital, largest city and cultural hub of the Netherlands, Amsterdam has been attracting both partygoers and historians for years, and 2013 is sure to be as popular as ever as the city celebrates a few big anniversaries.

For art lovers, the Rijksmuseum is reopening after 10 years of renovation. Vincent van Gogh turns 160 this year, while his museum full of vibrant colors turns 40. More interested in architecture? The canal ring celebrates its 400th year of crisscrossing the city of more than 1,500 bridges. Musicians will relish in the 125th year performance of the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, often hailed as the best in the world, while animal lovers can celebrate with inhabitants of the 175 year-old Artis Royal Zoo. That’s a lot of candles to blow out, so take a trip and join in the celebrations.

If museums and classical music aren’t your thing, the parties across the city are serious fun and equally worth the trip. How can you not live it up in a European city where charming windmills and tulip gardens stand side by side with alien sculptures holding joints? There really is something for everyone.

The capital of Southern India’s Andhra Pradesh, Hyderabad is brimming with a mix of tradition and innovation. Once known for pearls, diamonds and sultans, the area is now a base for today’s IT dynasties and gems, Google and Microsoft.

Some princely beauty remains, with palaces and extravagant hotels filling the Old City, yet Hyderabad is a bit of a mystery to travelers. It’s luxurious, yet unrefined. Perfect for new discoveries and adventures.

Stroll through the city, taking in the colors, hustle, smells from perfume shops and tranquil nature parks. And don’t miss the Hyderabadi Biryani, famous for it’s spice and “secret recipe” handed down from a royal family. New buildings and monuments are being restored every day, so go now and beat the tourist rush sure to happen in a few years.

As the UK City of Culture 2013, Londonderry/Derry is getting a makeover. The beautiful walled city in Ireland is not only the most fortified, but also the liveliest, with the majority of its population in their 20s and 30s, and more than enough pubs, clubs, music and shops to keep them satisfied.

The cultural festivities this year include the 10-day All Ireland Fleadh, also known as the world’s largest Irish festival, among hundreds of other concerts and events, like hosting the Turner Prize awards. For extra celebration, go for Halloween, where the city hosts the largest dress-up-party in the country, drawing visitors from around the world.

The city has enough to see on its own, but since you’ll probably fly into Belfast or Dublin anyway, (Londonderry/Derry is an easy bus ride from either one), take a detour to the Guinness factory or Titanic’s pump house on your way.

The streets are thronging with people. The colors, smells and sounds are overwhelming. The architecture astounding. The change palpable. The history intense. You’re in China, a sprawling city of massive population, evolving culture and rapid growth.

The 2008 Olympics launched Beijing into the world spotlight and the city was adorned with English street signs and made more accessible to tourists. Five years later the trend continues as high-speed rail connects the city to Shanghai in a matter of hours, it’s easier to visit the Great Wall than ever, and there are literally thousands of hotels and restaurants to choose from. The air might be smoggy, but it’s clear Beijing is the place to be this year.

The ‘Garden City’ is well deserving of its title -you’ll be amazed at how many trees line the New Zealand city. Recovering from four devastating earthquakes in 2010 and 2011, Christchurch is coming back with spirit and style. It’s taking a disaster and turning it into an opportunity to create a new image, with culture as its focus.

There are more live-music venues than ever before, and the old English city retains its charm while taking on a much more international feel. An influx of foreign exchange students has created a vibrant Asian presence, and the food offerings from Thailand to Myanmar to Turkey are amazing. Getting inventive with demolition sites, Christchurch is filling them with artwork. This will be an exciting year to visit and be part of the renaissance.

Plus, you’ll be hard pressed to find anywhere where you can ski, bungy jump, raft, mountain bike, hot-air balloon, wind surf, whale watch and relax with a great glass of wine while visiting internationally-acclaimed wineries, all in one place. Actually, Christchurch might be the only place on earth that’s possible. Enjoy.

This mild, oceanic capital of Tasmania attracts the outdoor explorer set, as well as white wine enthusiasts. The climate is perfect for riesling and sauvignon blanc, and the wineries are picturesque.

Lately though, new developments, namely the world-famous MONA museum, are bringing a new crowd and sense of vitality. This year, Jean-Hubert Martin, former director of the Centre Georges Pompidou in Paris, joins MONA and the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery together for the Theatre of the World exhibition.

Not to be outdone, the culinary scene is stepping up its game with exciting new chefs. The seafood here is unreal. Visit and be a part of this cultural rebirth.

Canada’s second biggest city and the “culture capital” of Quebec ranked high on the list of happiest cities in 2010 (Lonely Planet), and the hippest in 2011 (New York Times). This year, Montreal flaunts its status.

A new urban beach is ready to be admired, and the Rio Tinto Alcan Planetarium recently launched with a ‘Space for Life’ exhibit. Montreal is one of the most vibrant cities in all of North America, and nowhere is this more evident than the Plateau Mont Royal District. The trendy area is abuzz with languages and culture, and scattered with parks, theaters, pedestrian only streets and great restaurants and shopping.

A friendly, diverse city with more than 2,000 hours of sunshine each year… No wonder they’re some of the happiest people on earth! The cheer is contagious, and 2013 is the year to see what the buzz is all about.

Addis is growing, giving the Ethiopian capital confidence, and travelers an incentive to visit. Economic growth is expected to reach almost 5% in 2013, but that doesn’t take away from the fascinating history or embedded culture. Often called the “political capital of Africa,” Addis Ababa is a thriving, intricate city.

Get a history lesson while touring the city’s many museums, and notice the diversity in religion and language, as Ethiopia was colonized by Italy as recently as the early 20th century. For instance the Mercato, (market in Italian), is the largest outdoor market in the world, and a must on your “to-see” list. Bartering is necessary, and in doing so you can walk away with gorgeous fabrics, hand-carved furniture, t-shirts and other souvenirs.

The list is out for the seven wonders of nature, and Foz de Iguazú is on it. As if the magnificent waterfall on the Argentine-Brazil border wasn’t reason enough to visit this year, the Iguazú area is also home to some of the best spas and hotels in the country.

Guides will be happy to tell you about some incredible day trips aside from the falls, like a visit to Güira Oga, a refugee site where you can visit toucans, caiman and other wild animals.

Tip: When visiting the falls, go early in the morning so you have time to hike the island trail!